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Biological SciencesEcology

Environmental Effects of Dredging. Mapping Seagrasses for Dredging Operations

Authors: Bruce M. Sabol; Debroah J. Shafer; Eddie Melton Jr; ARMY ENGINEER WATERWAYS EXPERIMENT STATION VICKSBURG MS ENVIRONMENTAL LAB
Abstract:
Seagrass beds represent some of the most valuable aquatic habitats within the marine ecosystem. They provide critical refuge and foraging grounds for a diversity of organisms, including crustaceans and other invertebrates, as well as fish. Many of these species are economically important. Corps of Engineers districts frequently need to assess the character, extent, condition, and potential impacts to seagrass beds within their jurisdiction, particularly in areas where dredging is proposed in the vicinity of existing seagrass beds. Traditional sea grass survey methods are expensive, labor-intensive, and subject to unknown error. The Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Early Warning System (SAVEWS) , an integrated sensor/software system consisting of hydroacoustic, global positioning system, and geographic information system components, has the potential to provide rapid, low-cost, near-real time detection and mapping of marine seagrasses.

Limitations: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Pages: 8
Report Date: MAR 96
Report Number: A210703
Keywords relating to this report:
*DREDGED MATERIALS
*DREDGING
*ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
*GRASSES
*ORGANS(ANATOMY)
*ORGANS_ANATOMY_
*SEA WATER
AQUATIC ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
AQUATIC PLANTS
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
COMPUTER PROGRAMS
CRUSTACEA
DETECTION
DETECTORS
GEOGRAPHY
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM
HABITATS
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
INTEGRATED SYSTEMS
INVERTEBRATES
MARINE BIOLOGY
REAL TIME
VALUE
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